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Columbia Professor Blames University for Antisemitism; 13 Universities Fail ADL Report Card
Columbia University professor Shai Davidai blames the school's leadership for unchecked antisemitism; 13 US universities received failing grades for antisemitism in the 2025 ADL report; NY Gov. Hochul ordered CUNY to remove a "Palestinian Studies" job posting.
- What are the immediate consequences of unchecked antisemitism in academia, as exemplified by the Columbia University situation and the ADL report card?
- Columbia University professor Shai Davidai accuses the school's leadership of enabling antisemitism, citing 20 years of indoctrination as the root cause of recent anti-Jewish protests. Thirteen US universities received failing grades in the 2025 Campus Antisemitism Report Card from the Anti-Defamation League, highlighting a widespread issue. New York Governor Kathy Hochul ordered the removal of a CUNY "Palestinian Studies" job posting containing potentially antisemitic content.
- How do the actions of New York Governor Hochul and Senator Hoylman-Sigal reflect broader societal responses to rising antisemitism and the handling of potentially biased academic content?
- Professor Davidai's statement connects campus antisemitism to long-term ideological influences within academia, suggesting institutional responsibility. The ADL's report card reveals a systemic problem across multiple universities, demanding comprehensive solutions beyond individual cases. Governor Hochul's action demonstrates a direct response to perceived antisemitic bias in academic hiring practices.
- What systemic changes within universities and higher education are necessary to address the underlying causes of antisemitism and promote more inclusive and tolerant academic environments?
- The rising incidents of antisemitism on college campuses may necessitate broader reforms in higher education curricula and hiring processes. The focus on specific instances, such as the CUNY job posting and the ADL report, suggests a need for more rigorous vetting and potentially stricter regulations against hate speech. The long-term impact could involve shifts in academic freedom debates and increased scrutiny of university policies.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The framing consistently emphasizes antisemitic acts and downplays other forms of discrimination or political violence. The headline, "Antisemitism Exposed," immediately sets a tone of revelation and condemnation. The use of terms like "agitators," "indoctrination," and "monster" to describe pro-Palestinian voices reinforces a negative portrayal. The selection of stories further supports this bias, focusing on incidents perceived as antisemitic while neglecting counterbalancing narratives.
Language Bias
The newsletter uses charged language to describe pro-Palestinian actions and individuals. Terms such as "anti-Israel agitators," "terror groups," and "indoctrination" carry negative connotations. Neutral alternatives could include "protesters," "political groups," or "criticism." The repeated use of "antisemitic" without qualification risks conflating legitimate criticism with bigotry. The description of the proposed bill as "Stand Against Flags of Enemy Terrorists Act" presents a heavily biased framing.
Bias by Omission
The newsletter focuses heavily on antisemitic incidents and largely omits counter-narratives or alternative perspectives on the Israel-Palestine conflict. The framing consistently portrays actions by pro-Palestinian groups as inherently antisemitic, without providing sufficient context or considering the possibility of legitimate criticism of Israeli policies. The suffering of hostages is highlighted, but the broader humanitarian crisis in Gaza is largely ignored. The potential for biased reporting within the ADL's report card is not explored.
False Dichotomy
The newsletter presents a false dichotomy by framing the issue as a simple opposition between those who are against antisemitism and those who support it. This ignores the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the existence of nuanced opinions that do not neatly fall into either category. For example, criticism of Israeli policies is quickly equated with antisemitism.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article highlights rising antisemitism in the US and globally, directly impacting the SDG 16 which aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels. The incidents of anti-Jewish hatred, the promotion of antisemitic views in academic settings, and the need for legislation to counter hate speech all hinder progress towards these goals.